Karnataka Governor may ask CM Shettar to prove majority

Bengaluru, Jan 23 (ANI): Karnataka Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj made it clear on Friday that he might ask Chief Minster Jagdish Shettar to prove his majority if he thinks the State Government is in a minority.

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had met the Governor and apprised him of the resignation of 13 MLAs from the BJP. He is trying to rope in seven more MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party to resign from the Assembly along with the 13 MLAs who are waiting for the arrival of the Speaker to put in their papers.

"If I feel the government is in minority, I will ask him (Karnataka CM) to prove the majority. The Chief Minister is meeting me today. I have summoned Assembly on February 4," said Bhardwaj.

He further said that constitutional law applies and he will send the matter to the floor of the House.

Speaker K.G. Bopaiah is expected to return to Bangalore on Monday and Yeddyurappa wants that 20 MLAs should resign from their Assembly seats on that day to bring the Shettar government in minority.

If more than 15 BJP MLAs resign or give him a letter expressing no-confidence in Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar, it will prompt the governor to ask Shettar to seek a trust vote on the floor of the House.

The BJP Government in Karnataka has plunged into crisis ahead of the Budget session, as two ministers C M Udasi and Shobha Karandlaje had resigned to join Yeddyurappa.

The BJP's strength in the assembly is 120, including the Speaker, an Independent and a nominated member.

The Karnataka BJP is confident that resignation by 10 rebel MLAs will not affect the government, and is hoping that its strength doesn't slip below 106.

The Congress has 71 MLAs and the JD(S) has 26 MLAs in the Assembly. (ANI)

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